Charlie Davies Files $20 Million Lawsuit Against D.C. Nightclub, Red Bull for Their Roles in Fatal Car Crash

Charlie Davies is suing the nightclub and host of the party he attended prior to a fatal car accident in October 2009. The suit holds Das Entertainment and Red Bull North America responsible for serving alcohol to a woman after she had become “visibly intoxicated,” according to the Washington Post.

The then 23-year-old was a passenger in the car Maria Espinoza drove from the party. She crashed it on a Maryland highway, injuring herself and Davies. A second passenger, Ashley Roberta, was killed in the accident.

Davies suffered multiple injuries, including a ruptured bladder, brain bleeding and broken bones in his leg, ribs, elbow and face. 

The lawsuit claims his injuries caused “permanent disfigurement in the form of multiple scars and that he will continue to face substantial medical expenses. It also says Davies ‘suffered, and will continue to suffer, great pain of body and mind.'”

The accident temporarily ended Davies’ once-promising career on the U.S. national team. He was a projected starter at forward on the 2010 World Cup team.

At the time, he was playing for French club Sochaux, and the U.S. men’s national team’s World Cup qualifier against Costa Rica brought him to the D.C. area. 

He was not going to play in the next day’s game and broke curfew to attend the party. He accepted Espinoza’s offer of a ride home with tragic consequences.

Now 25, Davies’ recovery has allowed him to resume his professional soccer career. He never returned to the Sochaux first team and spent the last Major League Soccer season on loan at D.C. United. He appeared in 26 games for the Capitol club, scoring 11 goals. 

Photo courtesy of Flickr/D.C. United